NFL Divisional Playoffs
VIEW FROM THE TOP
Since the NFL moved to a 12-team playoff format in 1990, No.1 seeds in the NFC are 18-2 (.900) in the Divisional Playoffs. However, the NFC top seed has lost in the Divisional round in two of the past three seasons.
In the AFC, the No. 1 seed has compiled a 12-8 (.600) record in the Divisional round during that span.
Both the No. 1 seeds are in action this weekend when the top-seeded Atlanta Falcons host the Green Bay Packers in the NFC and the No. 1-seed New England Patriots face the New York Jets in the AFC.
The No. 1 seeds in Divisional-round play since 1990:
Year | AFC Top Seed | Divisional Result | NFC Top Seed | Divisional Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
Source: NFL | ||||
1990 | Buffalo | Defeated Miami 44-34 | San Francisco | Defeated Washington 28-10 |
1991 | Buffalo | Defeated Kansas City 37-14 | Washington | Defeated Atlanta 24-7 |
1992 | Pittsburgh | Lost to Buffalo 24-3 | San Francisco | Defeated Washington 20-13 |
1993 | Buffalo | Defeated L.A. Raiders 29-23 | Dallas | Defeated Green Bay 27-17 |
1994 | Pittsburgh | Defeated Cleveland 29-9 | San Francisco | Defeated Chicago 44-15 |
1995 | Kansas City | Lost to Indianapolis 10-7 | Dallas | Defeated Philadelphia 30-11 |
1996 | Denver | Lost to Jacksonville 30-27 | Green Bay | Defeated San Francisco 35-14 |
1997 | Kansas City | Lost to Denver 14-10 | San Francisco | Defeated Minnesota 38-22 |
1998 | Denver | Defeated Miami 38-3 | Minnesota | Defeated Arizona 41-21 |
1999 | Jacksonville | Defeated Miami 62-7 | St. Louis | Defeated Minnesota 49-37 |
2000 | Tennessee | Lost to Baltimore 24-10 | New York Giants | Defeated Philadelphia 20-10 |
2001 | Pittsburgh | Defeated Baltimore 27-10 | St. Louis | Defeated Green Bay 45-17 |
2002 | Oakland | Defeated N.Y. Jets 30-10 | Philadelphia | Defeated Atlanta 20-6 |
2003 | New England | Defeated Tennessee 17-14 | Philadelphia | Defeated Green Bay 20-17 (OT) |
2004 | Pittsburgh | Defeated N.Y. Jets 20-17 (OT) | Philadelphia | Defeated Minnesota 27-14 |
2005 | Indianapolis | Lost to Pittsburgh 21-18 | Seattle | Defeated Washington 20-10 |
2006 | San Diego | Lost to New England 24-21 | Chicago | Defeated Seattle 27-24 (OT) |
2007 | New England | Defeated Jacksonville 31-20 | Dallas | Lost to N.Y. Giants 21-17 |
2008 | Tennessee | Lost to Baltimore 13-10 | New York Giants | Lost to Philadelphia 23-11 |
2009 | Indianapolis | Defeated Baltimore, 20-3 | New Orleans | Defeated Arizona, 45-14 |
NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN
All four Divisional matchups this weekend are rematches of regular-season games. This includes two contests between division rivals for the first time since 2000.
2010 marks the sixth time since 1970 that all four Divisional playoff games are rematches of regular-season contests (1991, 1997, 2004, 2005 and 2008).
MATCHUP | REGULAR SEASON RESULT(S) |
---|---|
Source: NFL | |
Baltimore at Pittsburgh | Week 4: Ravens 17, STEELERS 14 Week 13: Steelers 13, RAVENS 10 |
Green Bay at Atlanta | Week 12: FALCONS 20, Packers 17 |
Seattle at Chicago | Week 6: Seahawks 23, BEARS 20 |
NY Jets at New England | Week 2: JETS 28, Patriots 14 Week 13: PATRIOTS 45, Jets 3 |
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
With a victory in Kansas City last weekend, Baltimore Ravens quarterback JOE FLACCO improved his postseason road record to 4-2 (.667).
With four postseason wins on the road, Flacco is tied with Pro Football Hall of Famers LEN DAWSON and ROGER STAUBACH and JAKE DELHOMME for the most in NFL history. With a win at Pittsburgh this weekend, Flacco can set the NFL record for road playoff wins by a quarterback with five.
CHAMPIONSHIP GOAL
With a victory against Baltimore on Saturday, Pittsburgh would advance to its 15th AFC Championship Game, surpassing Dallas (14) for the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970.
The teams with the most appearances in a Conference Championship Game since 1970:
TEAM | APPEARANCES |
---|---|
*Active in 2010 playoffs - Source: NFL | |
Pittsburgh Steelers* | 14 |
Dallas Cowboys | 14 |
San Francisco 49ers | 12 |
L.A./Oakland Raiders | 11 |
L.A./St. Louis Rams | 9 |
RODGERS THAT
Green Bay Packers quarterback AARON RODGERS has thrown seven touchdown passes in his first two postseason starts, the most in NFL history.
Rodgers will make his third postseason start in Atlanta this Saturday night. With three touchdown passes, Rodgers can surpass Pro Football Hall of Famer DAN MARINO, JEFF GEORGE and DARYLE LAMONICA (9) for the most touchdown passes in the first three postseason starts of any quarterback in NFL history.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
New England Patriots quarterback TOM BRADY holds an 8-1 (.889) record in the postseason at home, including a 2006 Wild Card victory over the New York Jets.
With a win against the Jets on Sunday, Brady can pass Pro Football Hall of Famer JIM KELLY (8-1, .889) for second place among quarterbacks with the highest winning percentage in home playoff games in the Super Bowl era. KURT WARNER posted a perfect 7-0 record at home in the playoffs.
The quarterbacks with the highest winning percentage in home playoff games in the Super Bowl era (Since 1966) (min. five games):
PLAYER | HOME PLAYOFF RECORD | WINNING PERCENTAGE |
---|---|---|
*Active in 2010 playoffs - Source: NFL | ||
Kurt Warner | 7-0 | 1.000 |
Tom Brady* | 8-1 | .889 |
Jim Kelly | 8-1 | .889 |
Troy Aikman | 7-1 | .875 |
STREAK-FREE SHINE
Seattle quarterback MATT HASSELBECK has thrown a touchdown pass in nine consecutive postseason games.
With a touchdown pass this Sunday in Chicago, Hasselbeck can become the seventh player in NFL history to throw a touchdown pass in 10 consecutive postseason games. New England's TOM BRADY (16) holds the longest active streak among playoff participants, and can add to his total this weekend.
PLAYER | YEARS | CONSECUTIVE PLAYOFF GAMES W/ TD PASS |
---|---|---|
*Active in 2010 playoffs - Source: NFL | ||
Brett Favre | 1995-2009 | 20 |
Tom Brady | 2002-present | 16* |
Dan Marino | 1983-1995 | 13 |
Kurt Warner | 1999-2009 | 12 |
Joe Montana | 1988-1993 | 10 |
Ken Stabler | 1973-1977 | 10 |
Matt Hasselbeck | 2005-present | 9* |
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